IPUT Leading Digital Connectivity in Ireland26/7/18

READ FULL ARTICLE

IPUT plc is pleased to announce that it is the largest adopter of WiredScore’s ‘Wired Certification’ in Ireland with 15 of IPUT’s office buildings certified to date.

Wired Certification acts as a trusted benchmark for buildings, giving greater transparency to tenants on the digital connectivity of commercial buildings. It assesses a number of factors that determine quality of connectivity, including, ease of access to internet providers, availability of Wi-Fi in the building, and how secure and resilient the digital infrastructure of a building is.

WiredScore offers four levels of building rating for qualifying buildings including: Certified, Silver, Gold, and the highest possible rating of Platinum.

Highlights of IPUT’s Wired Certification achievements are:
Niall Gaffney, Chief Executive, IPUT plc commented: “We are delighted to be the largest adopter of WiredScore’s independent connectivity ratings in Ireland, which further highlights the first-class levels of digital connectivity that IPUT is committed to across its portfolio. As Dublin’s commercial office specialist, we understand the importance of connectivity for our tenants and Wired Certification aligns with our commitment of actively managing our assets to ensure we continue to meet, and exceed, the requirements of our occupiers.”

Two of IPUT’s landmark developments – One Wilton Park and 10 Molesworth Street – have already been awarded a Wired Certified Platinum rating, confirming their position as among the best-connected buildings in the world;

IPUT has been awarded Certified and Silver ratings across its other assets and is currently working with WiredScore to enhance connectivity and ratings on all office buildings in the portfolio, which will provide a better experience for tenants;

IPUT has committed to securing a minimum of Wired Certified Gold rating for all its developments and refurbishments currently going through the certification process.

About WiredScore

WiredScore launched Wired Certification in 2013 in partnership with Mayor Bloomberg and the City of New York. Wired Certification champions cutting-edge technology in commercial real estate by providing the definitive certification for rating the digital connectivity of commercial buildings. To date, in excess of 400 million square feet of commercial real estate in more than 1,400 buildings has been Wired Certified globally. International demand for the digital connectivity rating system has seen the company expand operations to the United Kingdom, Ireland, France, Germany, and Canada.

IPUT plc is pleased to announce that it has secured planning permission to redevelop and restore 30 - 32 Sir John Rogerson’s Quay, Dublin 2 which is one of the last remaining original warehouse buildings on Dublin’s quays.

This historic building, which was originally used for the importation of tropical fruit into Ireland, sits on the waterfront facing the landmark Samuel Beckett bridge. Designed by Henry J Lyons Architects this cutting-edge scheme will deliver over 70,000 sq. ft. of unique river front offices and will include a new 6 storey office block at the rear overlooking an existing public square.

The original warehouse building will be sensitively restored and the design incorporates the addition of two floating, fully glazed office floors which will cantilever over the protected structure providing panoramic views over the River Liffey.

In keeping with IPUT’s development strategy, the building has been designed to meet the highest sustainability credentials and will also incorporate a significant investment in the public realm, creating a vibrant pedestrian connection to Whitaker Square from the River Liffey activated by a café and an artist studio at street level. The overall scheme will be developed as the Tropical Fruit Warehouse in recognition of its unique history. Construction is due to commence in Q3 2018 for delivery to the market in Q4 2020.

IPUT Chief Executive, Niall Gaffney, said:

“The Tropical Fruit Warehouse will be an exceptional building, a cutting-edge, efficient modern office space which also incorporates a thoughtful restoration of the historic warehouse buildings. This redevelopment will complement our existing office holdings in the immediate vicinity which extend to over 600,000 sq. ft. and is part of our long-term strategy to provide buildings that are recognised for the highest standards in design, functionality and sustainability credentials. We are excited about the unique letting opportunity that the Tropical Fruit Warehouse represents which will further support the anticipated 20% growth in our dividends over the next 3-5 years.”

Joint letting agents for the Tropical Fruit Warehouse are Andrew Cunningham of Savills and Aisling Tannam of Cushman & Wakefield.

IPUT plc 2018 AGM Statement10/5/18

Mr. John Mulcahy, Chairman of IPUT plc, noted in his annual statement:

“2017 was a landmark year for IPUT as the Fund reached 50 years in operation, making it one of the most enduring property funds in Europe. IPUT has delivered consistent income returns to shareholders over the past 50 years and this continued in 2017 when we generated a dividend yield of 4%.

I am confident that IPUT’s business model and strategy of focusing on investing in Irish commercial property, with a particular focus on prime large-scale Dublin assets, will continue to generate consistent investment returns for our shareholders. Our current portfolio of high quality assets, rented to high quality tenants, is well positioned to deliver this principal objective.”

“Our strategy of regenerating portfolio income continues to drive the performance of the Fund. Having de-risked the current development pipeline we have further regeneration opportunities across our estate, in particular within the Dublin city centre office market. These initiatives will potentially grow shareholder dividends by approximately 20% over the next five years.”

For more information and to download a copy of the IPUT 2017 Annual Report, please visit iput.com

IPUT plc was incorporated under the laws of Ireland with registered number 535460 with limited liability as an umbrella investment
company with variable capital and segregated liability between its sub-funds. IPUT plc is authorised and regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland.